NMSU basketball players hone skills through play abroad

LAS CRUCES >> For two New Mexico State University men's basketball players, summer was not part of the offseason but a continuation of practicing, traveling and playing in front of excited fans. It meant doing all that and more while competing in international tournaments for their native countries.

Over the summer months, Daniel Mullings and Matej Buovac gained playing experience they expect to put to use for the Aggies.

Mullings is a junior guard from Toronto studying sociology. Buovac, who hails from Zagreb, Croatia, is a sophomore forward majoring in international business.

Mullings played on the Canadian Development Men's National Team, which traveled to China for an exhibition tour in preparation for the World University Games in Kazan, Russia. It was his first opportunity to play internationally.

"It was a great summer for me," Mullings said. "I was able to play and travel to different countries and meet new people in those countries."

Buovac is an old hand at international play, with previous experience in the 18 and under and 16 and under European Championships. This summer, he played for his national team in the Sportland Under 20 European Division A Championships in Tallinn, Estonia.

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"This was my third summer playing internationally for my national team, so there weren't any surprises for me," Buovac said. "It was about getting more experience and trying to get as far as I could with my team."

Both players agree that international play is different than the college game.

"I think here it's a little bit faster and more physical," Buovac said. "In Europe, it's based more on tactics and mental preparation. But it's all the same: basketball is two baskets and 10 guys playing at each other."

Mullings said his perspective is different because he isn't used to playing internationally.

"We are used to not playing as physical as they do internationally, because you can't get away with a lot in the NCAA," he said. "Referees here are quick to call a lot of fouls, whereas overseas they let you play through a little bit of the contact. So it's not that much different, but it is something I had to get used to and the team had to get used to."

Mullings helped the Canadians to the bronze medal game and 6-2 overall record.

He started in seven games and averaged 10.5 points and 5.6 rebounds per game. He also contributed 16 assists and 13 steals, while shooting 52.5 percent from the field.

Buovac averaged 9.2 points, 3.4 rebounds and 1.6 assists per game. He shot 39.1 percent from the 3-point line (18-of-46). Buovac and the Croatian team posted a 3-6 overall record.

Both Mullings and Buovac aspire to continue competing internationally with the ultimate goal of representing their countries in the 2016 Olympics.

"My name is on the radar now for Canadian basketball so going forward and for the future, hopefully, if I have continued success, I will have the chance to represent them again," Mullings said. "Obviously, I would like to play in the Olympics. That would be a big goal and honor for me."

"It is always a special joy for me to play for my country," Buovac said. "The Olympics would be on the top of the list."

The duo hopes to now convert their additional experience into success for the Aggies in the upcoming 2013-14 season.

"It was a lot of basketball, which will help me during my sophomore year here," Buovac said. "My goal was to get better in all aspects of the game, and I hope I can translate that now to college basketball."

Mullings said playing internationally helped him view the game from a mental perspective.

"I learned a lot of things from the coaches I was able to play under, especially Jay Triano, who has been involved in the NBA and Canada basketball," he said. "He showed me a lot of things and a lot of the tricks he uses in the NBA."

In the 2012-13 season, Mullings and Buovac helped the Aggies to a WAC Tournament Championship en route to the 20th NCAA Tournament appearance in school history.

Mullings was NMSU's leading scorer with 13.8 points per game, and he posted team-high marks with 91 assists and 79 steals. Additionally, he earned second team All-WAC, WAC All-Defensive and WAC All-Tournament team honors.

Buovac played in 12 games in his first season in the Crimson and White.

Buovac hopes his second college basketball season goes as well as his experience playing for Croatia.

"It was a 10 out of 10," Buovac said of his summer. "I really had fun. I got better. I saw my family. I saw my friends. I played for my country -- and you can't get better than that."

Tiffany Acosta works for NMSU's communications office and can be reached at 575-646-3929.